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The Green Party welcomes the Tax Working Group report, which lays out a plan to ensure taxation in Aotearoa is fair and enhances the wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

“Being in Government gives us an opportunity to be at the table for any tax reforms. We look forward to working meaningfully and constructively with Labour and New Zealand First so we can create the fairest taxation system possible here in Aotearoa,” Green Party finance spokesperson James Shaw said today.

“New Zealand’s tax system has it strengths, but there is plenty of room for improvement.

The Green Party welcome moves to make huge multinational companies like Facebook and Google pay their fair share of tax in New Zealand.

“Right now, working New Zealanders pay around $8000 a year if you’re on the average wage of around $50,000. Google pays next to nothing. This is flatly wrong”, Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said today.

“Google and Facebook should not get to make money in New Zealand and not pitch in for our hospitals and schools like the rest of us.

The Green Party has secured a historic suite of budget wins valued at $618 million that prioritises protecting nature and backing the transition to a green economy.

The budget package comes in addition to funds already going towards green public transport projects valued at up to $13.5 billon, including light rail from the Auckland CBD to the airport and a new billion dollar fund for safe cycle and walkways in the Government GPS.

James presented the Green Party's fiscal plan for the 2017 election on 18 September 2017 at Biz Dojo, Wellington.

Tena koutou katoa.

Thank you so much for joining us here today, online or in the room.

I am unreasonably excited about this event and the document that we’re launching tonight.

Because what we’re doing is bringing together every policy proposal and plan that the Green Party has offered to the country, about how to make the promise of 100% Pure New Zealand a reality, into one place.

The independent fiscal analysis, by economics consultancy Infometrics using Treasury data, shows that in government the Greens will be able to deliver real action on climate change, cleaner rivers, and significant poverty reductions while running surpluses and paying down debt, as per the party’s Budget Responsibility Rules.

Winston Peters needs to show us how he plans to pay for his $10 billion of recent election promises before he attacks Labour on their fully-costed plan, the Green Party said today.

Winston Peters set out another new condition of going into government with Labour this morning, saying that Labour must tell him what its tax plans are.

“Winston Peters needs to explain what new taxes he plans to raise to pay for his $10 billion of election promises before he can attack Labour’s fully costed fiscal plan,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.

A bigger surplus will allow a new government to manage the economy responsibly while making the changes people know are needed, like lifting kids out of poverty, cleaning up our rivers, solving the housing crisis, and tackling climate change, the Green Party said today.

The Green Party welcomes today’s announcement that the New Zealand Superannuation Fund has dumped $950 million of high-risk fossil fuel investments, despite a National Government that is still backing oil and coal.

The $35 billion New Zealand Superannuation Fund announced today that it has sold off $950 million of companies with high exposure to carbon emissions and fossil fuel reserves due to the significant long-term risks they present to investors. The selloff includes New Zealand companies Genesis Energy and NZ Oil and Gas.